If your paint is peeling and there are bubbles on it, this is probably the walls were not properly dried before it was painted. This could be because the house was painted just before a storm or without taking into consideration the dampness of the wall.

Last edited by Bluesuede on Aug 25, 2015 12:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.

A few things to consider when assessing plaster damage:The condition of the plaster prior to painting – Was there are evidence that defective work had been undertaken prior to painting, such as cracking? The type of cracking may help determine the problem.

Powdery surface – Powdery surfaces require treating with a solution of phosphoric acid & water, then washing down prior to painting. Testing of paint films over these surfaces are covered by means of pressure sensitive adhesive cellulose tape.

Weak surfaces – To test strength before painting, the following test can be carried out:1. Attach a strip of adhesive cellulose tape firmly to the surface.2. Quickly pull it off.3. If the tape removes a significant quantity of plaster, the plaster has anunsatisfactory surface layer.

Record your findings and contact the builder in writing.

It may also be worth noting that a maximum depth of 3mm should be applied on the gypsum coating, if this is exceeded then perhaps the moisture rising to the surface during hydration has caused the surface to weaken.

Although StructuralBIMGuy is correct in saying that plastering & painting are both issues that fall outside of the BCA, in the event of a complaint lodgement with the building commission they will assess all relevant evidence. In other words, in the absence of code specific clauses (in the BCA) other documentation may be considered. Much of the above points that I have mentioned come from the Guide to Plastering produced by Standards Australia.

If the above points are not applicable then you may want to consider the ‘guide to paintings of buildings’ produced by Standards Australia. I would be surprised if the builder included the painting in the building contract, and things can become difficult if there is no sub-contract agreement in place if you engaged a sub-contractor, although painters are licensed trades so the building commission may be your best avenue again. I recently attended a seminar on the dispute resolution process at the building commission, and in the absence of code specific clauses they will consider clauses from documents such as the guide to standards and tolerances, which may be worth a look.

I have the same issue in my house - addition finished Dec 2013 and and paint peeling away easily from walls. I painted the house myself - 14 weeks after the plaster was finished with Taubmans prep right and Dulux Wash n Wear. Due to numerous other issues with the building work (involving a 15month dispute that resulted in a 70m2 travertine floor being pulled up and replaced) I only got around to dealing with the walls a couple of months ago. Taubmans have tested the wall coating and agreed that the correct product was used and that there is a failure in the plaster. I've since discovered that the Building Commission in WA has set up a working party to deal with the problems of white set plaster in WA - this was initiated by the Master Painters assoc after numerous complaints in WA with peeling paint. Since my builder has now ignored my requests to discuss the issue - he's trying to say that I applied the paint incorrectly then I'm assuming that I will have to go through the building commission and also get the plaster tested myself.

I'd appreciate if any other Perth members could recommend the name of a company to test the plaster

We are in this position too!!! we have spent thousands on scientific reports. Been through Building Commission and then to State Administrative Tribunal... Hearing coming up in Oct/Nov. We know that when we remove anything from the wall (blu tac, even post it notes) it takes off the paint and a very very thin layer of lime rich plaster the rest of the plaster appears to have the right lime/plaster ratio. I am desperate to find out why/how the lime has risen to the surface? It's that lime rich layer that is failing and coming off the wall and taking paint with it. But how does a layer of lime rich plaster (as thin as a coat of paint) get to the surface, set and appear to be a good plaster job and then after painting the plaster fractures and comes off under any type of impact. As mentioned above, even a laundry basket resting agains the wall will take paint and plaster off. If anyone can shed any new light on the subject we would be very grateful. This has cost us a fortune and 2 years of stress and worry and the only thing getting our house fixed is the lack of guidelines for plasterers and because its so hard to prove why the lime rich surface was there. HELP!!!!

Hi, my name is Dale Eyles, I am a qualified plasterer running my business (Finesse Plastering) out of Perth. I founded the largest network of solid plasterers in Australia with over 400 local to Perth. I have some good news for everyone who is experiencing plaster related issues.

Since its mysterious disappearance more than 10 years ago, The West Australian Solid Plasterers Association has been reincorporated. I was fortunate enough to be elected to the board and positioned into the role of Technical Manager.

Since July last year our association has gathered the support of some of the industries biggest stakeholders including Dulux, Lime Industries, Cockburn/Swan Cement and the Building Commission. The association is a registered MBA member and works with a number of builders to assist in diagnosing issues and reduce the risk of plaster failure in the future.

In Febuary this year we launched several parts of our Conflict Resolution Services, this includes professional assessments and plaster testing. Our assessments are done by high regarded qualified plasterers with over 10 years experience and the final report has legal footing. Our tests are carried out in a lab by our industrial chemist, we can tell you exactly how much lime they have used.

The associations has its focus on several main goals, training and education, proper standards, licence and registration.

To compliment the assistance WASPA can provide the Perth Plastering Network is compiling a list of responsible and reliable plasterers who are qualified, trade association members and recognised as quality tradesman. We will be releasing this in our upcoming awareness campaign. Please let me know if you can donate to the campaign which involves a combination of social media and sign/poster strategies.

One last thing, there are a number of Facebook groups and pages you should check out;

We are in this position too!!! we have spent thousands on scientific reports. Been through Building Commission and then to State Administrative Tribunal... Hearing coming up in Oct/Nov. We know that when we remove anything from the wall (blu tac, even post it notes) it takes off the paint and a very very thin layer of lime rich plaster the rest of the plaster appears to have the right lime/plaster ratio. I am desperate to find out why/how the lime has risen to the surface? It's that lime rich layer that is failing and coming off the wall and taking paint with it. But how does a layer of lime rich plaster (as thin as a coat of paint) get to the surface, set and appear to be a good plaster job and then after painting the plaster fractures and comes off under any type of impact. As mentioned above, even a laundry basket resting agains the wall will take paint and plaster off. If anyone can shed any new light on the subject we would be very grateful. This has cost us a fortune and 2 years of stress and worry and the only thing getting our house fixed is the lack of guidelines for plasterers and because its so hard to prove why the lime rich surface was there. HELP!!!!

Wow... I am having this problem too! My house was completed in mid 2014 and has been having this problem of paint peeling off easily from the plaster. Initially I thought it could be due to the moisture, but its been over 2 years and the problem remains. Any folks going through this problem too? And whats your remedial action with your builder?

It's now 2017 and I'm also experiencing the same issues as you. I've been in contact with the builder for over 3 years and he still won't accept there is a problem.

I had a plaster tester recommended to me to use (expensive but this is now what I need to do to "prove" with scientific evidence that there is indeed a problem) but when I tried to make an appointment wth him he said he couldn't do it as it would be a conflict of interest as he sits on the Board that looks at cases such as mine!

I would be most appreciative if you could let me know who you got to do your testing (and any other advice you have I would also be most grateful for).

Hi everyone,I'm in WA and I have also had this problem in my house build a few years ago. The builder has been no help and denied anything was wrong as well. I contacted the Painters Registration Board as I thought it was a priming problem but they were extremely unhelpful and almost aggressive in the conversation, saying I couldn't report issues to them and had to go through my builder (who was terrible). I would think that the number of problem houses is much more than they have estimated.The Building Commission was also no help saying I would be wasting my time and money to lodge a complaint.I also got no joy from Taubmans when I called, but by the way they spoke it sounded like a common problem here in WA.I would also be interested in how to test to determine the problem, I am more interested in finding a solution. At the moment even the removable 3M hooks just peel off the wall with a trail of paint stuck to them exposing plaster, it is so disappointing that you can spend upwards of $650,000 on a product with no real warranty or any ability to fix obvious poor workmanship.